The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1887-08-13

the other countries only $S7,416,8O2 in
gold. In 1881 the United States coined in
gold 800, 400, FOG, and all the other coun
tries only $40,348,117. In 1882 the
United States coined $05, 1877 ,GS5 in gold,
and sill the other countries only $3f,O22,
3O1. If We consider silver the case is
still worse; not that we have coined SO
much, but that We have SO much to
coin. lit will be remembered that a
few years ago We 80 completely overdid
the silver business, that there was a glut
of silver and it was not worth exporting
Many feared, for long time, it would
be produced in such vast quantities that it
would not retain its value at home; but
the decrease in the yield of the Comstock
lode temporarily relieved the market.
This relief. however, was for q short
time only. The more recent discoveries
at Clark's Fork, Butte aud Helena lead
us to fear that production greater than
Comstock has been found. l have long
! believed there was more silver at Butte
and on the head of Clark's Fork than in
the whole state Of Nevada; and the qucs-
ton arises-What are we to do with this
vast wealth. We can dig it out and
smelt it, but if we coin it will it not be-
come base metall Silver in the west
is found like lead and iron in the east,
and suppose if We have more silver than
lead or iron, lead and iron would be AS
valuable as metal as silver. Would it
no,l If anybody supposes the precious
metals in the United States have all
been discovered, they are very much mis-
taken. Not one mine in ten is yet worked.
AL! our gold mining so far, believe,
spurs to great central deposit which
exists some where in the basin of the Big
Horn mou,ains, and it will be discovered
one of these days. 1t is likely one of the
central, deposits of silver was struck
at Comstock, but Others will be found,
and | think Clark's Fork and Butte are
central deposits Of this metal. We, how
ever, do not need any more silver mines,
and / think it would be unfortunate for
the country, in measure, If We were to 60
on finding them, as we have lead, and
also copper, coal and lion. When the
great central deposit of gold in the United
States is struck, the world will probably
shake with excitement and believe the
time to be near at hand.
There are probably only three great
central deposits of gold IN the whole |
world, viz: In Africa, Australia, and the !
United States.
The African and Australian deposits
have been found; but the one in the |
United States, as yet remains undiscov-
cred, excep. u small! portion of it at Alder
Gulch, Montana. Follow the geological
stratas of the earth, across the globe, and |
you will find three great dips, or basins
in them, one in Africa, one in Australia,
and one in the United States. The lowest
dip in this country is 10 the Big Horn
and there is where l think
the great central deposit Of gold Is
somewhere in the Big Horn basin. This
vas Professor Aggasiz and james Gard
her Austin's opinion and careful observa-
ions OF mining for so many years in all
parts of the west confirmed me in the
belief that they were correct in their
opinion. There is one kind of COM
,any in the United States that has never
been organized; but which will some day
De organized and should like to see it.
mean "Gold Searching and Develop
ng Company" All our mines have so
ar been accidentally stumbled upon 10y
nch men as Comstock, Suffer, Pritch ard
nd others, and it is simply astounding
hat no systematic search for gold, aided
y capital. has been made in the United
tates. think it highly probable that
company with million dollars
apital were organized, aud expert pros
ectors employed with contingent inter
ST IN their discoveries, before the CON-
any had expended judiciously 800, 900.
their capital they would find them
elves the possessors of mines worth
/ 100000. At all events the experiment
worth trying and it is strange i. has
OF been tried before this.
The nearest approach to gold search
lg company we have ever had was
hen two or three merchants at Denver
dubbed together and grubstaked one or
NO poor prospectors. Senator Tabor of
dorado, grubstaked three miners with
bout 5000 in provisions and i'm plemeuts,
I'D got slO0OO,OOO out of his venture.
lrs. Edgerton grubstaked Pritc hard with
100, aud if they had not cheated the old
.dy out of her just dues, would have got
$4,000 for her 500 venture. {
WIN Woa N,nIoro1lo9